Dolgellau - Cadair Idris - Barmouth - Mawddach Trail.

 Bill, my cycling partner.

Well its was the Old Bastards turn to pick a ride, so what did he pick, a total lung buster starting in the car park at Dolgellau.

First tip, and moan, as you come over the bridge into Dolgellau, go immediately left into the car park. but whatever you do, DO NOT park in the first section, £7.00, what the hell is all that about. Who pays £7.00 to park in a godforsaken village.
Carry on through the car park to the one further down the road at the rugby club where it is only £3.50, more like it.
Dolgellau itself suffers from the English and Welsh problem, these places depend on tourism, so what do they do, they close on Sunday.

Anyway follow the road through the town until you see the one that goes up vertically in front of you, its actually Poth Canol carry on ever upwards to the first fork in the road, go left and carry on to the next fork where you go go right, If you're still going and haven't died at the roadside through lack of oxygen. ( I mean you could always stay at home and practice self flagellation )

Its a strait road from here so just carry on until the road levels out somewhat

Looking up to Cadair Idris

Its just about at this point that you realise why you didn't stay at home and beat yourself up, the view opens out to one which I would challenge you to find better. Spectacular is not good enough. This is one of those rides that changes and gets better as you get in to it ride along just under the summit of Cadair Idris  


Small Tarn at the top of Cadair Idris

 The ride just gets better, and by now you have started to breath again, and takes you over the top to views looking down towards Barmouth and the coast.

Looking Down to Barmouth

 As if this wasn't one of the best rides up to this point then grab your goolies,close your eyes and get ready for one of the best downhills around. Seriously good, so much so that my front brake locked on at the bottom, which incidentally opens out to a main road so watch it. Turn right and follow the road around until you see a sign for Fairbourne on the left, take it, and go down to the Cafe at the miniature railway station. Very aptly named the Station Cafe, the Lemon Squidgy cake was quite good, and if the tea had been in a mug it would of been OK. They should really offer that as an alternative to a cup that is low and wide, the trouble with them is that the surface area of the tea is too big and cools down too quickly. All in all though very friendly service, clean and reasonably priced, well worth a visit.

The Mawddach Trail

 Once you have refuelled, make your way back to the main road and turn left until you see signs for the Mawddach Trail. Follow this back to Dolgellau, real picture postcard views all the way along and plenty of birds to be seen. So I actually think the miserable old bastard made a good pick

Verdict on this ride: TOP